Sparks Defeat Liberty 98-97 on Buzzer-Beating Three-Pointer

A 15-year veteran hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to complete a 17-point comeback in the final minutes. The matchup marked the 30th anniversary of the league's first game on June 21, 1997. A sold-out crowd of 18,043 watched pregame ceremonies that included Lisa Leslie and Kym Hampton re-creating the inaugural tip-off.

The veteran finished with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals while shooting 61.6 percent from the field. Twelve of those points came in the final 4:03, including both three-pointers in the last 90 seconds. Sparks coach Lynn Roberts said after the game that the team would not have chosen another player to take the final shot.

The player is averaging 15.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. She ranks fourth all-time in league history with 7,542 points and 3,399 rebounds. She has averaged more than 13 points in each of her 15 seasons and has been selected to 10 All-Star teams.

The same player has served as president of the WNBA Players Association since 2016. She helped negotiate the 2020 and 2026 collective bargaining agreements that raised the salary cap and introduced revenue sharing. Sparks teammate Kelsey Plum said the veteran has remained consistent through multiple changes in league leadership and ownership.